Jerry Santeiro

1951 - 2013

It is with deep sadness that we advise you of the death of our dear friend and fellow Rotarian, Jerry Santeiro.  His passing leaves so many in the Coral Gables community devastated by the  loss of this strong, gentle and giving man known for his wicked sense of humor.

Jerry was born in Havana, Cuba, March 11, 1951.  He emigrated to Miami with his family  in the 1960's and graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in 1968.  He got his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1972 and achieved his MBA from Florida International University in 1980. 

His early career was spent at Florida Power & Light Co., where he was External Affairs Manager from 1972 until 1994.  He was at FP&L when he joined Rotary Club of Coral Gables in December, 1991.  He served on the Board of the Club for many years and served as President in 1995-1996.  But his community involvement didn’t stop there.

Jerry served as Chairman of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce in 1996-1997, and became active with the Coral Gables Community Foundation.  He was the Foundation Chairman in 2009-2010.  It was through his involvement in the Foundation that his efforts began to focus on the aging and elderly in our community.  He was very involved with the Alliance for Aging and sat on the Senior Advisory Council for the City of Coral Gables for a number of years.  He became Executive Director of the Guardianship Program of Dade County in 2006. 

His own health problems and subsequent disability in 2009 led Jerry to his work with disability agencies and he was, just last week, appointed Chair of the Coral Gables Council on Disabilities. 

Jerry Santeiro loved life.  He loved Rotary.  He loved Coral Gables.  He is survived by his daughter Christina Santeiro Toole and his granddaughters Nina and Lola.  He will be greatly missed by us all.  Services are being handled by Stanfill Funeral Home and arrangements will be announced.

Jerry with  Christina